Tabletops / Miniaturen

Development -
Even before they had entered the war in 1940, the Italian army recognised that it would need a new, heavier tank to keep up with foreign designs. At 26 tonnes, the new tank was planned to be twice as heavy as the M13/40 medium tank about to enter service. Faced with numerous specification changes and no suitable engine, Fiat Ansaldo, the company that designed all Italian tanks, took until late 1942 to complete the prototype.

The first Italian self-propelled gun, the Semovente M41 da 75/18 based on the M14/41 medium tank, was introduced in late 1941. This provided the field artillery with both mobility and protection. Mounting the short-barrelled 75mm L/18 howitzer, it was used with great success in the Desert where it supported the medium tanks with accurate long-range supporting fire.
The Semovente 75/34 was an improved design armed with a new 75/34 gun in a lengthened fighting compartment. Being based on the M15/... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Hypothetical Combat Service -
With the British and Commonwealth forces pushed across the border into Egypt at El Alamein, the Regio Esercito rushed early prototypes of the Semovente 75/34 to the desert to help deliver the final blow to the Allies. Mechanical problems with the new engine and the 75/34 gun mounting delayed large-scale deployment until the fighting retreat westward to Tunisia.
Semovente 75/34 Self-propelled Gun Specifications

The mighty Bersaglieri are Italy's elite infantry. They have earned their place amongst the elite of the Italian army, serving in every conflict that the Italians have fought with distinction since their creation.

Equipped with reliable Solothurn and Elefantino anti-tank guns, they are well prepared to take on their opponents in defence. However, in the attack they are in their element. Backed by Carri tank platoons, self-propelled Semovente guns, and artillery, they strike hard and fast into... (vollständige Beschreibung)

With five M13/40 or M14/41 tanks and five tank commander figures.
In 1940, the deficiencies of the M11/39 became obvious during the fighting in North Africa. It was decided that substantial upgrades to the design and armament were required. General Caracciolo di Feroleto (head of the Italian Inspectorate of Technical Services) supervised the original M13/40 design and by July 1940 fifteen prototypes were ready to be tested.
The main gun was upgraded from a 37mm to the 47/32 gun and moved to a... (vollständige Beschreibung)

The M11/39 was the first M series tank built for the Italian Army. The first prototype was completed in 1937 and the vehicle was accepted for service in the following year. The vehicle was armed with a limited traverse 37/40 gun mounted in the right side and two 8mm Breda machine-guns mounted in a turret that provided a 360 degree field of fire.

With four 75/27 gun with crew, Command Rifle team, Staff team and Observer Rifle team.
One of the most common and oldest guns in use by the Italian army during the Second World War was the 75/27 cannon. It was originally a German Krupp export model adopted by the Italian army in 1906. Despite its age, the 75/27 was of sound and sturdy construction; an attribute that saw it stay in service until 1943.
Despite the limitations of its single pole trail; restricting the elevation of the gun. It sti... (vollständige Beschreibung)

with four 105/28 howitzer with crew, Command Rifle team, Staff team and Observer Rifle team.
The 100/17 howitzer was fielded by the Italian Army during the campaign in North Africa, but first saw service as specialist heavy mountain gun by Austro-Hungarian forces during the First World War. At the beginning of the 20th century companies such as Skoda and Krupp were leading the world in artillery technology; many of the European nations equipped their armies with guns from the Skoda factories.
... (vollständige Beschreibung)

with four 105/28 howitzer with crew, Command Rifle team, Staff team and Observer Rifle team.
The 105/28 howitzer was a World War One vintage gun of French design (Canon de 105 mle 1913 Schneider or L13 S); originally starting life as a design on the drafting board of the Russian Putilov Armaments factory. It proved a popular design and was exported to various countries, Italy among them.
The breech mechanism was based on a screw design; a swinging arm allowed the breech to swing in and out of... (vollständige Beschreibung)

with two resin gun nests, two 47/32 guns, two sets of Italian crew and two sets of Australian crew & four Ammunition boxes.
The vast fronts of the North African battlefields were impossible for either side to completely fortify along the entire length. There simply wasn’t the manpower or equipment. Instead they used a series of mutually supporting fortified posts made up of trenches, machinegun and anti-tank gun positions. These were manned by small sections of infantry and could be encircled b... (vollständige Beschreibung)

includes five one-piece resin AS37 Trucks with crew & weapons options.
After the successful campaign against the Senussi, Italian troops guarding the frontier knew a lot about fighting in the deep desert. What’s more is that the Italians began building modern roads to supply the remote outposts as well as airfields to fly in supplies and operate air patrols. Finally, this also gave them the opportunity to chart accurate maps of the deep desert.

includes five one-piece resin AS42 Trucks with crew & weapon options.
The Sahariana was an open bodied version of the Autoblindo armoured car, adapted as a long range desert patrol vehicle. Camionetta is an Italian term used for soft vehicles modified to mount weapons, and often translated to Jeep, hence the Sahariana is often referred to as the Italian Desert Jeep.
The first unit to use the Sahariana was the Raggruppamento Sahariana AS formed in late 1942 from the first Sahariana vehicles man... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Cannone-Mitragliera Breda da 20/65 modello 35
The Breda 20mm anti-aircraft gun was widely used by the Italian Armed forces during the war. Performing in the role of light anti-aircraft, it was also used successfully in the ground role. Like many weapons of it time it was designed as a dual-purpose weap... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Lancia truck with 90/53 AA gun mounted on back.
The Italian Cannone da 90/53 was an excellent weapon that compared favourably with the German 8.8cm anti-aircraft gun. It was a good, sound modern design.
At first glance the 90/53 resembles the 8.8cm Flak weapons, but closer inspection reveals many differences. The 90/53's arrangement of the fire control instruments was quite different from those of the German guns and the barrel was of one-piece construction instead of the multi-section arrange... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Carnionetta FIAT SPA43 AS42 - The Italian "Desert Jeep". A number of variations exist, this one with a 20mm anti-tank rifle. Used to chase the LRDG and conduct long range patrols - Pack contains 1 Car, 1 Driver and 3 Crew figures. Also contains AT Rifle, 47/32 gun and 20/65 Breda gun.

Fiat SPA TL-37 Artillery Tractor
The Fiat SPA TL-37 artillery tractor was an innovative design produced for the Italian army during WWII.
One of the main characteristics of the design was the system of all-wheel steering.
"All wheel" steering reduced the length ... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Autoblindo FIAT-SPA AB41 - Highly prozed by both the Germans and Italians, the AB41 Armoured Car served well in the Desert and Russia. This is one of the best Italian vehicles - Pack contains 1 Armoured Car, 1 Commander and 1 Dismounted Crew figures.

Motoguzzi - Italian recon troops enjoy the spped, handling and sturdiness of the Motoguzzi. They range far and wide in the desert on patrol and other duties - Pack contains 4 Motorcycle and 8 Rider figures.

SPA Dovunque 35 Truck - The Dovunque truck provided the Italian Army with an excellent cross country transport and supply vehicle. Used throughout the war by the Italians - Pack contains 2 Trucks and 2 Drivers.

Spa Dovunque 35 6 x 4 medium truck
Developed in the early 1930s the Dovunque (go-anywhere) truck chassis was taken into production in 1933 by FIAT's Spa division. From 1935/36 it was made with improved design specifications (Dovunque 35), the 1933 model (2-ton capacity Dovunque 33 tru... (vollständige Beschreibung)

The heavy Lancia truck was used to tow heavy guns like the 88/56 and the 90/53 anti-aircraft guns. Contains: 2 all-resin Trucks.

Lancia 3RO is a versatile truck that came in many variants; Anti aircraft, troop transport, supply transport, and repair workshop vehicles. Its design was simple and functional, and was appreciated by those that used and serviced it.

It was the bravery and dedication of Italy's Carristi and Bersaglieri (tank crews and light infantry) that made many of Rommel's desert victories possible. Steadfast in defence, the Artiglieri and Paracadutisti (artillery men and parachutists) saved Rommel from defeat time after time.

With unmatched endurance the Fucileri (riflemen) held the line for the Germans in Africa when their own forces proved insufficient for the task.

88/56 (Flak 36) Gun - The :"88" Anti-Aircraft gun was used by the Italians in a dual role. It proved equally devastating against ground and air targets in Italian hands - Pack contains 1 Large base, 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun and 5 Crew figures.

The Fucilieri, the ri'emen, are the backbone of the Royal Army. They are not volunteers; they are recruited from those eligible for conscription. They are not in it to be heroes, but often the r... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Mortai da 81/14 modello 35. The Italians had limited supplies of medium mortars, but those they did have were used to great effect inflicting heavy casualties on the 8th Army. Contains: 1 officer, 1 NCO, 1 rifleman, 1 radio operator, 1 observer, 3 mortars, 9 crew, 2 small and 3 medium bases.

With the artillery headquarters co-ordinating their fire, the gunners of the Italian Artillery were regarded as some of the best troops in the Army. Contains: 8 Officers, 2 NCOs, 2 Riflemen, 2 Artillerymen, 2 Radio Operators, 2 Observers, 2 Stools, 2 tables, 4 small and 2 medium bases.

The men of the Italian Artillery Arm were often equipped with old, but serviceable, weapons. But what they lacked in technology they more than made up for with bravery and professionalism.
In one encounter dur... (vollständige Beschreibung)

These are Italy's elite! They wear Black Cock Feathers on their helmet with pride. Everywhere they fight the Bersaglieri distinguish themselves. Contains: 1 officer, 4 NCOs, 3 MG gunners, 20 Bersaglieri, 1 shot rifleman, the Unkown Hero, 2 small and 6 medium bases.
The Bersaglieri are Italy's equivalent of Britain's Ri'e Brigade. They are superbly trained light infantrymen. Although they have fewer trucks than they would like, a Compagnia Bersaglieri is the closest thing Italy has to motorised ... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Mortai da 81/14 modello 35. The Bersaglieri use the 81/14 mortar. It is similar to most other mortars of its size, but Italian technology gives it a greater range. Contains: 1 officer, 1 NCO, 1 Rifleman, 1 Radio operator, 1 observer, 9 crew, 3 mortars, 2 small and 3 medium bases.

At the start of 1942, each Bersaglieri regiment and reconnaissance battalion had a Compagnia Motociclisti.
The Bersaglieri Motociclisti rode the legendary Moto Guzzi Alce (pronounced al-cheh), or Elk, introduced in 1938 for military use as reco... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Italy pioneered military parachuting when it resupplied divisions by air back in 1918. The Regio Esercito, the Royal Army, was amongst the first to create a parachute force. Now t... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Like all Italian infantry the Paracadutisti are supported by their own machine-guns. The machine-gunners wait until short range to open fire, keeping hidden until then while the paracadutisti sneak around the flanks to counterattack.

Tenente Pascucci lead the heroic last ditch counter attack at Fuka that allowed much of the DAK to escape after the battle of Alamein. Contains: Tenente Pascucci's special M14/41, Tenente Pascucci and dismounted crew.

Sottotenente (Second Lieutenant) Luigi Pascucci fought as a Tenente Capo Compagnia (Lieutenant in charge of a company) in the 132° reggimento fanteria carrista of the famed Ariete Armoured Division, during the Second Battle of El Alamein. His company took part in the bitter figh... (vollständige Beschreibung)

with four L3/35 tankettes with Lanciafiamme, Solothurn and Brixia options.
The L3/35 tankette was a tiny armoured vehicle that was obsolete by the outbreak of the war. Unfortunately they made up the majority of the armour available to Italians in 1940.
However, a number of field modifications were made to improve its effectiveness. Some were fitted with 20mm Solothurn anti-tank rifles to give it an anti-tank capability, while others were fitted with an externally mounted 45mm Brixia light mort... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Carro Armato L6/40 (Fiat-Ansaldo)
In 1937 it was realised that the L3/35 tankette was obsolete, though factories were still producing them. By September a prototype for a new light tank was in development.
The Italian Army initially rejected the new design as too heavy, despite it being a mere 6-tons, because they wanted a tank for deployment in mountainous areas.
Fiat-Ansaldo then made attempts to find a foreign buyer, but by early 1940 Italy's involvement in the war led to the adoption of t... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Carro Armato Fiat-Ansaldo M11/39 - The main Italian tank at the start of the war. the M11/39 design was already 10 years out of date. The 37mm gun was hull mounted with twin mg's in a turret - Pack contains 1 Tank, 1 Tank Commander and 1 Dsimounted Crew figure.

Carro Armato Fiat-ANsaldo M13/40 & M14/41 - The best Italian tank of the war, it fought in Afirca, Italy and the Balkans. A vast improvement on previous designs it was still outclassed by its opponents - Pack contains 1 Tank, 1 Tank Commander and 1 Dismounted Crew figures.

In 1940 the deficiencies of the M11/39 became obvious from the fighting in Africa, and it was decided to substantially modify the design and to upgrade the armament. General Caracciolo di Feroleto (head of the Italian Inspe... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Renault R-35 - A well armoured, two man light tank. This French tank was captured in large numbers and used on the Russian front by Italian and German Armoured forces - Pack contains 1 Tank, 1 Tank Commander and 1 Dismounted Crew figures.

Semonvente 47/32 su L6/40 - Based on the L6/40 light tank, 280 were built in '42 & '43. often the only mobile anti-tank defence available to the Italian Army. The crews served bravely - Pack contains 2 Tank Destroyers, 2 Commanders and 2 Dismounted Crew.

Semovente L40 da 47/32
During the Second world war Italy did not distinguish itself for any particular innovations in the design and production of armoured vehicles. However towards the end of the 1930s they had built a reputation in the fie... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Carro Commando M41 - The Carro Commando is the Command vehicle for several tyes of Italian SPG's. Modern range finding scopes are mounted on the roof of the tank - Pack contains 1 Self Propelled Gun, 1 Commander and 1 Dismounted Crew figures.

Carro Commando per reparto semovente da 75/18
The Carro Comando was created as a command vehicle for the Semovente 75/18. Like the Semovente 75/18 is based on the M13/40 or M14/41 medium tank series. The first version to see service retained the twin hu... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Semovente da 75/18 su scafo M. 41
By 1941 early campaigns in France, Africa and Yugoslavia had made it clear that the contemporary Italian designs needed to be replaced by more modern ones or updated as soon as possible. The Germans had already suc... (vollständige Beschreibung)

Carro Commando M41 - The Carro Commando is the Command vehicle for several tyes of Italian SPG's. Modern range finding scopes are mounted on the roof of the tank - Pack contains 1 Self Propelled Gun, 1 Commander and 1 Dismounted Crew figures.

Semovente M 41M da 90/53
The Semovente da 90/53 was the best armed Italian armoured vehicle of WWII. Its design was prompted by a desperate request from the Russian front. The CSIR urgently asked for something capable of knocking out the Soviet T-34 and... (vollständige Beschreibung)